title: Cholera surveillance in Uganda: an analysis of notifications for the years 2007-2011.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cholera outbreaks have occurred periodically in Uganda since 1971. The country has experienced intervals of sporadic cases and localized outbreaks, occasionally resulting in prolonged widespread epidemics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cholera surveillance data reported to the Uganda Ministry of Health from 2007 through 2011 were reviewed to determine trends in annual incidence and case fatality rate. Demographic characteristics of cholera cases were analyzed from the national line list for 2011. Cases were analyzed by district and month of report to understand the geographic distribution and identify any seasonal patterns of disease occurrence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 2007 through 2011, Uganda registered a total of 7615 cholera cases with 181 deaths (case fatality rate = 2.4%). The absolute number of cases and incidence per 100 000 varied from year to year with the highest incidence occurring in 2008 following heavy rainfall and flooding in eastern Uganda. For 2011, cholera cases occurred in 1.6 times more males than females. The geographical areas affected by the outbreaks shifted each year, with the exception of a few endemic districts. No clear seasonal trends in cholera occurrence were identified for this time period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed an overall decline in cases reported during the 5 years under review. During this period, concerted efforts were made by the Ugandan government and development partners to educate communities on proper sanitation and hygiene and provide safe water and timely treatment. Mechanisms to ensure timely and complete cholera surveillance data are reported to the national level should continue to be strengthened.
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health Uganda, Control of Diarrheal Diseases Unit.
authors.forename: Godfrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bwire
authors.forename: Muggaga
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malimbo
authors.forename: Issa
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Makumbi
authors.forename: Atek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kagirita
authors.forename: Joseph Francis
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Wamala
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kalyebi
authors.forename: Aloysius
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bingi
authors.forename: Sheba
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gitta
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mukanga
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mengel
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dahlke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002771:Cholera / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018563:Disease Notification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Africa; Uganda; Vibrio cholerae; cholera; epidemic; epidemiology; surveillance